Gaborone, Botswana – Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. has struck diamond history, uncovering a 2,492-carat diamond at its Karowe mine in Botswana. This staggering find ranks as the second-largest rough diamond ever discovered, following only the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond unearthed in South Africa in 1905.
The Karowe mine has a reputation for producing colossal stones. Lucara previously unearthed the 1,758-carat Sewelô and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamonds. Details concerning the gem quality of this latest discovery remain undisclosed, but its sheer size guarantees its significance.
The company presented the diamond to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday. Botswana holds the title of the world’s top producer of diamonds by value. Interestingly, the country recently proposed legislation requiring mining companies to sell a 24% stake in their operations to local investors, unless the government itself chooses to acquire the shares.